As soon as Russia officially entered its bid to host the 2018 World Cup, the President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Joseph Blatter, got on a plane to Moscow. Vladimir Putin waxed lyrical on how the life of Russians would improve if FIFA awarded the game to his country. Mr Blatter was moved and said that although Russia's bid was still in the second echelon, the chances were very good. Experts say the championship would cost Russia a minimum of 260 billion roubles.
The Prime Minister and the FIFA President first made as if to shake hands, but then threw all protocol out the window and embraced each other.
"My dear friend," Mr Putin addressed the Swiss, "I have to tell you that we in Moscow and Russia know your work very well."
Mr Blatter's face lit up with a satisfied grin. Here was evidence that his efforts to promote football in the east and south were paying off.
"Mr President," he addressed Vladimir Putin.
Don't footballers follow politics? But as it turns out, the FIFA President deliberately promoted the Russian Prime Minister to President in his remarks.
"We've known each other for many years," he explained. "And for me you'll always remain ‘Mr President'."
Mr Putin smiled wryly and hastened to steer the conversation toward sports.
"Football is growing more and more popular in Russia," he said. Then, recalling the match between Russia and Germany that he attended and the match against Azerbaijan in particular, he added, "I can't say that our team is quite living up to the fans' expectations, but on the whole we have a good national team. More importantly, we have a programme in place to develop football through 2015." (The Federal Centre and the regions are planning to combine their efforts to build about 600 football pitches and the necessary funds have been allocated - Izvestia).
Mr Blatter continued smiling and nodding, and then decided to offer some words of encouragement to our athletes.
"If you can't get through on the first route, there's always the second route. There are still two games to play," he said reassuringly. "You have a good team with the support of the entire nation behind it. I'm sure you can make it."
After exchanging pleasantries, the two men got to the main point - Russia's chances of hosting the 2018 World Cup.
Anticipating events, Mr Blatter said, "I'm sure you'll ask me about it. I had a chance to look at the preparations. I have great sympathy for the Russian bid. Let me explain my philosophy."
It turns out that Mr Blatter is a fan of Russia's pragmatic approach. Football is not just about stadiums. It's also about infrastructure: railways, roads, airports, hotels and so on. All of these things will remain in Russia after the match for the benefit of its people.
"Everything is basically ready in four cities," Mr Putin said, in agreement. He briefed Mr Blatter on the preparations for the Sochi Olympics, the Universiade in Kazan and the renovation and construction of new stadiums in Moscow and St Petersburg.
"We plan to build ten more stadiums in ten cities," the Prime Minister added.
Mr Blatter made it clear, however, that stadiums alone would not be enough to outbid Britain, the US, Australia, Japan, Indonesia and other countries that have entered a bid.
"You are a second-echelon candidate," Mr Blatter reiterated.
"Just holding these events will give football a boost throughout Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union," Mr Putin responded. "As far as I know, a World Cup match has never been held in Eastern Europe. If everything works out, this will be the first."
"You're making me think," the FIFA President admitted. "Your chances are good."
"I know which buttons to push when I talk with you," the Prime Minister said, rubbing his hands.
Experts put the total cost of hosting the World Cup at a minimum of 6 billion euros (260 billion roubles). That's how much Germany spent to host the 2006 championship. Russia may have to spend even more because its infrastructure can't compete with Germany's.
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The Prime Minister orders a reduction in paperwork.
In recent years Russia has been working to minimise all manner of inspections, audits and other artificial barriers, but individuals and businesses still face a lot of problems. Vladimir Putin drew attention to this issue at a recent cabinet meeting. "I am just back from the Far East of the country to see how preparations for the APEC summit are going. After all the time spent on inspections, there's no time to work, only time for paperwork." Monitoring and oversight have emerged as a lucrative business involving crony firms and organisations. The system is broken, with a lot of "pseudo-experts" and "pseudo-analytical" organisations leeching off government agencies. The Prime Minister ordered that regulations on all government functions be approved as soon as possible and that the scope, stages, and timeframe of administrative procedures be clearly defined. In addition, Mr Putin ordered that uniform pricing standards for government services be worked out.
Anastasia Savinykh